94 Second News Update

In his evening press conference last night, Governor Andy Beshear announced that there were 955 total cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth. Of those cases, 38 were newly confirmed, and at least 306 patients have recovered. There were also five new deaths reported on Sunday, bringing the state total to 45. On a more positive note, Governor Behsear announced that the Governor’s office entered into an agreement with Gravity Diagnostics in Northern Kentucky. The agreement will provide up to 2,000 tests a day that we will be able to use around the state. This would be next day testing, and would be used for symptomatic, high-risk patients, first responders, and health care workers. The Governor says this would significantly increase the number of tests being done in Kentucky on a daily basis. Governor Beshear also noted that he will likely announce further steps to reduce large gatherings later this week.

The Lincoln Trail District Health Department has announced that there are 26 cases of COVID-19 in their service area, with ten cases in Hardin County, two in Larue, five in Marion, two in Meade, four in Nelson, and three in Washington. The health department urges those in their service area not to panic, but to follow guidelines put forth by Governor Beshear including social distancing, and wearing some sort of cloth facemask in settings where social distancing can be more difficult, such as the grocery store. However, the department discourages wearing surgical masks or N95 facemasks, as that takes away resources from healthcare workers who desperately need them.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has announced that starting today, the spur of KY 434 between US 31W and Wilson Road will be closed for removal and reconstruction. Traffic on Wilson Road will have access to US 31W from the new Centennial Avenue connector on the north end or from KY 220 on the south end, and traffic from KY 434 will have access to Wilson Road from the same routes. This area should be reopened to traffic by April 10^th.

Ireland Army Health Clinic on Fort Knox is expanding their appointment capabilities in an ongoing effort to improve patient access to care in the face of COVID-19. The clinic announced they will be opening the Nelson Troop Medical Clinic on post beginning today. Nelson TMC has thirteen exam rooms that will be staffed with Fort Knox medical professionals, and is available to beneficiaries who call to schedule appointments. Patients will be told if they are seeing a provider at either Ireland or Nelson when they call to make an appointment.

In his evening press conference last night, Governor Andy Beshear confirmed 93 new cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, bringing the total number of cases to 680. In addition, two more deaths were announced, a 60-year-old male from Davis County and a 76-year-old female from Hopkins County. The Governor stressed the importance of continuing social distancing and not travelling out of state, noting that this was the one thing in this situation that citizens can control. The Governor also touched on the surge in unemployment claims, saying that officials are working to fix problems brought on by the influx. In addition, the National Guard is being called into action in order to assist Kentucky’s food banks in distributing food during this time.

Hardin County Schools has announced that they need help from the community in order to continue providing meals to those in need. The district announced in March that they were accepting donations in order to help pay for meals for those who could not get them for free. However, due to the high demand, those funds have now run dry and more donations are needed. Donations to the meal fund can be made at thepac.net by clicking on the Donate tab.

On Tuesday, the Bardstown Police Department was called for a trespasser in the area of Stephen Foster. Officers engaged a male suspect, identified as Joseph Cahoe. Cahoe stated to officers that he had killed his roommate at 525 North Second Street. Officers responded to the residence and did, in fact, find a deceased male. Cahoe faces charges of murder. The case is ongoing.

An Elizabethtown woman is seeking assistance with hospital bills after seeking a heart transplant for her four-month-old daughter. Megan Eades, a friend of the mother, Beth Dugas, says that medical bills have already reached the $1 million mark. To donate to the family, visit gofundme.com/miraclesformadison. $2000 has been raised so far for the family.

The fallout related to COVID-19 extends even into the waste disposal industry. In a release issued yesterday, Hardin County Government stated they are changing their guidelines related to trash disposal. Items should be placed in a garbage bag, tightly closed, and should be placed in a garbage receptacle. Crews have been instructed not to pick up loose debris or bags. Residents wishing to dispose of large or bulk items can take them directly to Pearl Hollow landfill.

In his evening press conference last night, Governor Andy Beshear announced that there are now 480 cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 42 of those being newly confirmed. There were also two new deaths reported on Monday, an 88-year-old female from Kenton County and a 90-year-old female from Simpson County, raising the state’s total to 11 deaths related to the virus. Both victims had underlying health conditions that also contributed to their death. In terms of new steps being taken, Governor Beshear announced an executive order to limit Kentuckians out-of-state travel. The order allows for a few exemptions including travel to other states for work, groceries, to care for loved ones, or to seek court order required health care. Kentuckians arriving back in the Commonwealth from out of state are required to self-quarantine for 14 days.

With the end of the school year fast approaching, school districts across the area are still deciding what to do for their high school graduations. During their March board meeting, Hardin County Schools set the graduation dates for all three high schools, which are still on schedule at this time. The Elizabethtown Board of Education has not yet set a date for their graduation.

As the number of positive cases grow, many have pointed to differences between numbers provided by Governor Beshear and by other governmental agencies, such as the Lincoln Trail District Health Department. Officials with the department say there are two main reasons behind the occasional difference; Not all labs report to the state labs, and the turnaround for the labs could be delayed for multiple reasons. Public information officer Terrie Burgan says that while there may be an occasional lag in numbers reported by the Governor, the Health Department has put forth accurate numbers. At this time, the Health Department has seen 11 positive cases within their service area.

The City of Elizabethtown has announced a new effort in order to attempt to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. At a specially called meeting of the Elizabethtown City Council, a budget amendment was approved that will create the Economic Stimulus Recovery Fund. The fund will be available to qualifying small businesses in the city of Elizabethtown, and the city will make grants up to $3000 available per small business to aid in recovery efforts. Mayor Jeff Gregory said that the city wanted to, “…provide some immediate relief for businesses until the various proposed state and federal programs can cut off assistance.” The city will begin taking applications for the funding on April 1^st. More information, including a list of eligible businesses and program guidelines can be found at elizabethtownky.gov.

The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a suspicious man knocking on doors over the weekend. Reportedly, the man, later identified as Johnny Kolley of Cecilia, was knocking on doors asking to use a phone charger. When officers arrived, they saw Kolley walking behind a house. The residents of the home started pointing at him, and as officers pulled into the driveway, Kolley fled on foot. As officers exited the vehicle, several commands to stop were given, but Kolley hopped a gate and ran into a barn, where he was apprehended. Kolley would not give officers his hands, and when checked, was discovered to have an active warrant. He was arrested for fleeing or evading police, burglary, and resisting arrest. He is lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.

In his evening press conference last night, Governor Andy Beshear announced that there are now 248 cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, the single greatest growth in positive cases thus far. The Governor notes that this is normal in pandemics, and is also in part to the increase in testing. Governor Beshear expressed pride in seeing the sacrifices that people have made, but says that even more is needed in order to beat the virus on the first try. Governor Beshear again stressed social distancing, and refraining from group gatherings at all costs. No new steps were taken last night in terms of new executive order, but the Governor did note that the state is working diligently in order to get more information and progress made regarding the drive-thru testing facility that the Governor is hoping to have open next week.

The first local manufacturer in the area will be shutting down production. In a releae from Senior Human Resources supervisor Jeff Mills, Akebono Production is going to remain cancelled for the week of March 25^th to April 5^th. This shut down will be unpaid, but the release offers kcc.ky.gov to file unemployment.

Hardin County has seen its third positive case of COVID-19, and Larue County now has its first, according to the Lincoln Trail District Health Department. In a press release made public yesterday, the health department announced this news and stated that this brings the total number of cases in the Lincoln Trail district to six, with the remaining two being in Nelson County. One Nelson County case was released from isolation yesterday, and the other remains isolated at home. All Hardin County cases are isolated at home, and the Larue County case is isolated in a hospital. The health department advises that, going forward, Kentuckians reduce their contacts by 75% to see the biggest impact in the reduction of new cases.

Gate procedures at Fort Knox have been altered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Formerly, each ID in the car would be taken by the gate guard and scanned. Now, the post asks that the driver collect all IDs and show them individually to the gate guard from a distance. Single occupants can make use of the scanning kiosk at the gate in order to enter. The health condition code on post right now is “Charlie”.

Another City of Elizabethtown event has been cancelled as a result of COVID-19. The scheduled Spring Clean-Up for the city has been postponed. New dates will be posted on city social media as they become available. Brush pickup will still be on its normal schedule.

Brandenburg Telecom is offering free wi-fi hotspots to their service area in order to better help people during the COVID-19 pandemic. These hotspots are available in Brandenburg, Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Vine Grove, and Hardinsburg in the parking lots of business offices. In addition, there are several more hotspots at campgrounds and parks in the area. A full list of the hotspots can be found at bbtel.com.

The Elizabethtown Police Department wants to make the public aware of a new scam revolving around COVID-19. The department was notified of the scam by a resident, who received a call saying her government issued check was ready, and that the caller needed her bank information in order to deposit the check. The federal government has not decided when or if they will be sending checks out to anyone at this time. The department urges citizens to never give their information out to anyone over the phone.

As the state continues the fight against COVID-19, Governor Andy Beshear announced in his press conference last night that there are now one hundred and sixty three cases of the virus in the Commonwealth. The governor announced that one of these positive cases came from someone who attended a coronavirus party. Beshear denounced the act, again stressing social distancing and regard for the lives of others. Governor Beshear noted that with the expected spike in cases, increasingly significant steps towards fighting the illness can be expected, and the governor took one of those steps last night. Beshear ordered that all non-life-sustaining businesses be closed by 8 PM Thursday. Businesses that will remain open include grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies, and drug stores as well as laundromats, banks, and home-based care and services, among others. The Governor says the order will be made public today in order to make the announcement clearer.

Monday morning, the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office apprehended three suspects who allegedly stole a tractor from Bullitt County. Later in the afternoon, the trailer used to steal the tractor was reported stolen as well. All items have been returned to their owners. In regards to the three suspects, Joseph Christopher Redmon was charged with two indictment warrants from Nelson and Bullitt counties, receiving stolen property over five hundred dollars, operating with a suspended license, and public intoxication. Mark Vittitow was charged with receiving stolen property and public intoxication, and Allen Ballard was charged with receiving stolen property. All three were lodged in the Nelson County Jail.

The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Shaw Station Road in Leitchfield in an attempt to stop a reckless driver. Officers made contact with the driver, 29-year-old Mercedes Goldsmith of Louisville, who is a repeat offender with the Sheriff’s Office. Goldsmith had several warrants for her arrest, and her vehicle was searched. The inspection led to the discovery of meth, marijuana, and a handgun in the car and on Goldsmith’s person. She also failed sobriety tests conducted by officers. Goldsmith was charged with several traffic violations, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. She was lodged in the Grayson County Detention Center. The investigation is ongoing.

Hardin Memorial Health has announced that effective today, visitation at Hardin Memorial Hospital has been suspended, with only essential caregivers allowed to accompany patients for medical appointments or tests. The organization has been progressively restricting access to the hospital and medical office to protect patients from COVID-19. There will be limited exceptions, allowing one healthy visitor, who will be screened prior to visitation, for patients under eighteen, women in labor, end of life patients, hospice patients, dependent patients who require assistance, and outpatient surgery and cath lab patients. These visitors are asked to enter at the main registration and patient pick-up entrance. For more information on Hardin Memorial’s policies and response to COVID-19, visit hmh.net.